Last modified on July 05, 2026

Page created on August 15, 2024 

Following the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the coastal village of Combe Martin organised a grand summer Carnival to celebrate the return of peace, revive community spirit, and welcome home local service personnel.

• The Core Roster: This archive preserves the original, verified ledger of the 1945 Combe Martin Carnival Committee, alongside a comprehensive list of local Shammickites who funded and organised the festivities.

• The Venue: Central victory celebrations and committee meetings were anchored around the historic Combe Martin Village Hall (originally built as the Old Drill Hall in 1909).

• Genealogical Value: For descendants and historians tracing North Devon family lineages, this ledger acts as a vital primary source snapshot of the community's resident families immediately following the war.

• Available Resources: A fully cross-referenced, print-friendly Research PDF (21 KB) containing the complete list of historical names is available for free, non-commercial download below.

Archive Record for the Combe Martin Carnival in 1945

In 1945, the Combe Martin Carnival Committee publicly thanked local people and businesses, for underwriting the Carnival's publicity expenses. Download the attached list of names and business published in the local Journal↓

Combe Martin Carnival 1945: Local Tradesmen Defraying the Cost of the Advertisements

This is taken verbatim from a local Journal news item of 1945: the Combe Martin Carnival Committee wish to thank the Tradesmen of the Town for defraying the cost of the advertisements that appeared in the North Devon Journal-Herald.

Transcribed word for word; the undermentioned volunteered to defray the cost:

T. G. Gubb, Grocer; Bert Squire, Garage Proprietor; L. M. Crang, Grocer; A. B. Ridge, Grocer; H. L. Shelborn, General Stores; Parsons, Bakers; E. B. Adams, Electrical Engineer; H. Goss, Hardware and Fancy Goods; Butler’s Dairy; Bowden’s Dairy; Sanders, Central Garage; Combe Martin Engineering Co., Ltd.; L. A. Norman, Fruiterer; G. Dinnicombe, Ladies and Gent’s Outfitters; Passmore Bros., Fruiterers; J. H. Sanders and Son, Ironmongers, etc.; Geo. H. Creek and Sons, Drapers and Milliners; J. H. Cleave, Bakers; Wm. Squire, Builder and Contractor; Fredk. Creek and Sons, China, Glass, and Fancy Goods; W. G. Savell, Boot and Shoe Stores; William Bray, Tailors and Outfitter; Jean B. Clarkson, Ladies’ and Children’s Wear; A. A. Savell, Fishmonger; L. M. Meakings, Newsagent, etc.; Wm. Delve and Son, Bakers; F. C. Taylor, Florist and Fruiterer; P. F. Beaumont, Stationer; H. C. Pugsley, Fruiterer and Florist; Madame Poppe, Hairdresser; Carthews, Tobacconist, etc.; A. J. Treweek, Bakers; R. Thomas, Butcher; Underwood Radio Service; Wm. Eastman, Fruiterer, etc.; Bingston Garage; H. Beaumont, Grocers; Leonard Sanders, Fancy Draper, etc.; B. C. Gribble, Printer and Stationer; E. A. Begrie, Jeweller; A. Venn, Bakers; Edward H. Dutton, Chemist; Seaside Stores (F. T. Morrish), Grocer; Warren and Son, Butchers; Meakings, Newsagent, etc.; P. Rook, Boot and Shoe Repairs; Lovering Bros., Garage Proprietors; A. J. Huxtable, Dairy; Norman’s, Dairy; I. King, Boot and Shoe Shop; Mrs. M. Williams, Seaside Café; John J. Oliver, Chemist; Wyld’s Wool and Fancy Shop. Ref: E2034 1945 

About This Archive: Combe Martin’s Post-War High Street

This dataset is a historical transcription from the North Devon Journal-Herald (Archive Reference: E2034). It captures the names of the local tradesmen and business owners who generously stepped forward to fund the public advertisements for the historic 1945 Combe Martin Carnival right after World War II.

Key Takeaways for Researchers & Descendants:

• A Vibrant Local Economy: The list showcases a remarkably self-sufficient village post-war high street, recording everything from traditional food merchants (five bakeries and four dairies ) to specialised trades like engineering, boot repairs, and tailoring.

• The Automotive Transition: Reflecting the mid-century era, the directory captures a booming reliance on motor travel, preserving the names of four local garages and proprietors supporting the district.

• Genealogical Value: For family historians tracking North Devon heritage, this ledger provides an invaluable primary-source census of the shopkeepers and "Shammickite" community figures actively shaping village life in summer 1945.

Tabulation Compiled by Combe Martin Village History Project

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